Grassroots Group Caps off Second Chance Month with Direct-Mail Push

Apr 23, 2019 by AFP

Americans for Prosperity-Montana applauds legislative leaders for making important progress on smart on crime reforms

HELENA, Montana – Americans for Prosperity-Montana (AFP-MT) launched a direct mail campaign today inviting Montanans to call on their elected leaders who supported policies to reform the criminal justice system during the 2019 legislative session. The direct mail campaign is part of a six-figure national effort highlighting key progress across 10 states and comes as the nation recognizes Second Chance Month.

Montana lawmakers tackled a bill to end the unjust practice of suspending the driver’s licenses of individuals who are late to pay court fines and fees. The common sense reform will allow thousands of Montanans to keep their licenses and maintain their means of transportation, which will enable them to have the income needed to pay the fines they owe in a timely manner.

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AFP-MT State Director, David Herbst released the following statement:

“We applaud the Montana lawmakers for working to enact meaningful reforms to our criminal justice system this session – particularly driver’s license suspension reform. The previous policy disproportionately affected low-income folks and forced them to choose between losing their job or risking jail time and more fines for driving on a suspended license. For Second Chance Month, we’re thanking members who stepped up and supported this legislation that will help individuals who are working to improve their lives and provide for their families.

We encourage the Montana legislature to continue pursuing policies that are smart on crime and soft on taxpayers. We invite anyone who supports this approach to criminal justice to join us in working to see these policies enacted.”

Background:

Driver’s license suspension reform in Montana comes on the heels of passage of the federal First Step Act, which AFP proudly supports.

The new law, one of the most significant reforms to the criminal justice system in decades, is already working to give many people an opportunity to contribute to society. AFP is now pushing Congress and the Trump administration to fully implement and fund the law, so that its full benefit will be realized.

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